Is your family continually spending too much money on the technology that you use each day in the home? It’s a common problem and one that you should try to deal with differently because it’s more than possible to spend less on these things and not make any major sacrifices. It never makes sense to spend more than you can afford to on this kind of stuff, and you don’t need to either.
There are lots of tricks and changes you can make that’ll help you to control your expenditure better and take a more sustainable approach to this kind of stuff. Most families have to work hard to pay the bills as it is, so do you really want to be spending more than you need to on tech and entertainment? Read on now to find out what you can do to control this expenditure much better.
Don’t Rush to Upgrade Each Gadget When a New One Lands
These days, it seems like the major tech giants release updates and improved models of their devices every few months. It can be hard to keep up, and when you have kids who are always wanting the latest model, it can be difficult to cover those costs if you do try to keep pace. Rather than falling into this consumerist trap, you should always stay back and wait before you upgrade. If you wait a little longer, you will be able to wait until those new models drop in price and save money.
Hold Off on 4K Too
The latest breakthrough in terms of TV and home movie viewing is 4K, so it’s understandable if your family is keen to make this upgrade right now, but is it really worth it? It terms of TV, most channels are not presented in 4K, so from that angle it’s not worth it right now. And in terms of movies, there are not many that actually get released on the 4K format, and some of the ones that are were not actually made using 4K technology. That’s why it makes sense to wait a couple of years or so before this format really catches on.
Regularly Reassess Your TV Package Subscription
Most of us have some sort of TV package subscription in place that we can make use of each day when we’re relaxing on the sofa. But when you have hundreds of channels at your disposal, it can all be a little overwhelming and you often don’t actually make use of all the options available to you. If you’re finding yourself not using all the channels you pay for, you might want to revisit your subscription deal and see if you can find a cheaper one that’s more suitable for you.
Focus on Sharing
When you have kids, sharing is one of the things that you’re very keen to teach them. Doing so really becomes valuable to your family when it comes to the use of technology. If you have kids that are happy to play together on games consoles and share all the devices you have in the home, it can save you a lot of money. Far too many families end up buying multiples of the same devices just so each child can have their own, and it’s a big waste of cash.
Use Screen Protectors
You’ll save a lot of money if you take the simple step of protecting your devices. This is something that’s especially important when you have children that are prone to throwing things around and not really handling delicate devices with the care they should. Replacing a screen or an entire device can be very costly, and if this is happening a lot, those costs are going to mount up over time. That’s why simple things like screen protectors should definitely be used.
Don’t Spend More Than You Need to on Phone Data
Data plans can be big expenses for families if each person has their own plan. Using a Pay as you go SIM for each person is probably the best option, and then you can tailor the package to ensure everyone is only paying for what they use and what they need. It doesn’t make sense to be paying more for data, calls and texts that are not actually being used. So have a look at your existing plans and think about how you can improve on them.
Invest in Virus Protection
It’s always the case that all of the computers and devices running software in your home should be protected by antivirus software. This kind of protection is truly vital because devices and computers can be completely wrecked if they get overrun by viruses, and that’s the last thing you need. It makes owning this stuff more expensive because you’ll be replacing them more regularly. Virus protection is one expense that’s more than worth it.
Pass Items Down Through the Family to Save
If you have devices that one child gets bored of, you could pass them down to the next child. Passing things on like this is a good way of saving money because it means you won’t need to buy so many new devices and gadgets all the time. Younger children are usually not as bothered about having the latest phone or gadget, so they’ll be happy to use the ones no longer being used by their older siblings.
Make the Most of Live Experiences
As well as entertainment in the home, you should try to ensure your family is making the most of live entertainment experiences. These can be both cheaper and more fulfilling for many families, and it gives your kids a reason to get up off the sofa and get out of the house.
Spending too much on technology and entertainment is something that far too many families do, and it’s simply not necessary. If you can start putting these ideas into practice, you’ll be able to cut your spending and not put your finances at risk for the sake of tech and entertainment in your home.
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